Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-05-26
Gales aud Sketfhts.
A NEW ENGLAND NUN.
CONTINUED from Yesterday. 4,

Louisa had very little hope that he
would not, one of these days. when their
interests and possessions should be more
completely fused in one She pictured to
herself Caesar on rampage through the
quiet and unguarded village. She saw
innocent children bleeding IN his path.
She was herself very fond of the old dog.
because he had belonged TO her dead
brother and he was always very gentle
with her; still she had great faith in his
ferocity. She always warned people not
to come too near him. She fed him on
ascetic fare of corn mush and cakes, and
never fired his dangerous temper with
heating and sanguinary diet of flesh and
bones Louisa looked at the old dog
munching his simple fare, and thought of
her approaching marriage and trembled.
Still no anticipation of disorder and con-
fusion in lieu of sweet peace and harmo-
nv, no forebodings of Caesar on the ram
page. no wild futtering of her little cana
nv, were sufficient to turn a hem s breadth.
Joe Dagget had been fond of her and
working tor her all these years. II was
not for her, whatever came to pass, to
prove untrue and break his heart. She
put the exquisite little stitches into her
wedding garments, and the time went on
until it was only week before her we'd
ding day. 1t was Tuesday evening. and
the wedding was to be week from We'd
nesday.
There was fullmoon that night.
About nine O'Clock Louisa strolled down
the road little way There were har-
vest. fields on either hand, bordered by
l. "a, ,1f
bushes grew beside the wall, and trees
wild cherry and old apple trees-at inter.
walls. Presently Louisa sat down on the
wall and looked about her with mildly
sorrowful reflecliveness. Tall shrubs OF
BURBERRY and meadow. sweet, all woven
together and tangled with blackberry,
vines and horse-briers, shut her in on
either side. She had little clear space
between them. Opposite her. on the 9TH
er side of the road. was spreading tree
the moon shone between its boughs, and
the leaves twinkled like silver. The road
was bespread with a beautiful shifting
dapple of silver and shadow; the air was
| full of mysterious sweetness. 81 wonder
if it's wild grapes" murmured Louisa
| She sat there some time. She was just
thinking of rising when she heard foot
steps and low voices and remained quiet
1t was a lonely place, and she felt little
timid. She thought she would keep still
in the shadow and let the persons, who
ever they might be, pass her.
But Just before they reached her the
voices ceased, and the footsteps. She un-
derstood that their owners had also found
seats upon the stone wall. She was won
dering If she could not steal away unob-
served, when voice broke the stiffness
1t was Joe Dagget's. She sat still and lis
tened.
The voice was announced bv loud sigh
which was as familiar as itself. "Well,"
said Dagget, you've made up your mind,
then. | suppose ?'
Yes" returned another voice, 'I'm
going day after to morrow"
That's Lily Dyer" thought Louisa to
herself The voice embodied itself in her
mind. She saw girl, tall and full fig
ured. with firm, fair face, looking fairer
and firmer in the moonlight, her strong,
yellow hair braided in close knot. A
glrl full of a calm rustic strength and
bloom. with mastery way. which might
have beseemed princess. Lily Dyer was
tavorite with the village folk; she had
just the qualities to arouse thei. admira-
lion. She was good and handsome and
smart. Louisa had often heard her praises
sounded.
Well" said Joe Dagget. II 'aint got
a word to saw"
IL don't know what you could say" re.
turned Lily Dyer.
Not a word to say" repeated Joe,
drawing out the words heavily. Then
I there was silence. 81 amt sorry" he
began ut last, THAT that happened yester-
day-that we kind of let on how we felt to
each other. | guess it's just as we'll we
knew Of course can't do anything any
different. I'm going right on an get mar
ried next week. | amt going back on a
an break her heart
IF you should jilt her to morrow,
wouldn't have you" spoke up the girl
with sudden vehemence.
'Well. amt going to give you the
chance" said he; "but don't believe you
would. either
| You'd see wouldn't Honor's honor
an rights right. An I'd never think any
thing OF any man that went against 'em
for me or any other girl; you'd find that
out, Joe Dagget."
well, you'll find out fast enough that
amt going against 'em for you or any
other girl" returned he. Their voices
sounded almost as if they We're angry with
each other. Louisa was listening eagerly
I'm sorry you feel as if you must &C
away" said Joe. "but | don't know but
it's best"
"Of course it's best | hope you an
have got common sense"
well. suppose you're right" Sud
| denly Joe's voice got an undertone o.
tenderness. Say. Lily" said he, I'l
get along we'll enough myself, but l can
bear to think-You don't suppose you're
going to fret much over it?"
81 guess you'll find out that shan
fret much over married man."
"Well. hope you WON'T hope yor
won't Lily. God knows do. And
hope-one of these days-you'll-comt
across somebody else"
! II don't see any reason why should
MT Suddenly her tone changed. She
spoke in a sweet. clear voice. so loud tina
she could have been heard across the
street. No. Joe Dagget," said she. "I'l
never marry any other man as long as
live. I've got good sense, an amt going
to break my heart nor make tool of my
self; but I'm never going to be married
YOU can be sure of that | amt that sor
of a girl to teel this way twice"
u \ q